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July 2005
07/27/2005 - Lisa and Baby
 Hello,

I've had many emails and calls from "Hannah's List" inquiring about Lisa and the baby. Lisa has had an extremely difficult time with this pregnancy. When Lisa was in a terrible accident in 2001 she was given many blood transfusions. What she found out three months ago was that she was given the incorrect type of blood. To make matters worse, Lisa's blood has "Little C" and Justin's blood type has what is called, "Little C and big E". Together, both their blood types are attacking the baby. It's very complicated with their particular case because of antigens and antibodies and I understand some of it but certainly not enough to explain it well enough. To make a long story short, this baby has become severely anemic over and over again. What happens when a baby is severely anemic is the blood flow to the brain in diminished and fluid builds up around the baby's tummy and heart. St. Mary's called in a surgeon specialist to operate on the baby while still in Lisa's womb. The surgeon called in his team (on a Saturday while they were at the golf course) and Cardinal Glennon pediatricians came over and formed their own resuscitation team. The imminent danger at that time was they did not know the baby's blood type and were only guessing at what type to use to transfuse her. The doctor ended up giving the baby Rh positive. Lisa was admitted for four days and put on steroids anticipating that the baby would have to be delivered early. At that time the baby only weighed 2 pounds and the baby was as close to death as she could be. After the surgery her doctor came out and told us, "If Lisa doesn't believe in God she should now, because what just happened in that OR was a miracle". He then suggested we make a donation to a charity of our choice. Little did he know that we were experts on "miracles".

The first surgery went well and since then Lisa has had to have the same surgery every three weeks. Each time the surgeries have gone well but the doctor says four is the limit. Since the baby is due now for another transfusion he has decided to induce labor. Lisa had an Amnio test today (Tuesday) and was supposed to go in tentatively Thursday ... however, the hospital called back and said they want her in the hospital tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 6:00 a.m. for blood work then back at 6:00 p.m. for the induction. So hopefully we will be having a baby within the next day or two.

Today the baby weighed in at a whopping 6 pounds 9 ounces. Lisa was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes so that could account for some of the increase in size.

Lisa is having a little girl and she keeps going back and forth on names. I do know that the baby will have either Hannah-Grace or just Grace as a middle name, in honor of her baby sister. Hannah has been with Lisa throughout this entire pregnancy and we all know what a special gift this baby will be to our family. Lisa goes everyday for a sonogram and two times a week she sees her doctor. When Lisa comes home from her appointment she always has a new picture of the baby ... and it's uncanny how much this baby girl looks like Hannah's baby pictures! Lisa and I just shake our heads and smile.

I got a call today that Hannah was heard on 101.1 The River ... of Miracles. Once again it is the time of year when donations are made to Children's Miracle Network. I speak for Hannah when I ask you to please consider donating to this wonderful cause, in Hannah's honor of course. I would also urge you all to tune in to The River to hear Hannah's voice and remember a very special time in her life with Vic Porcelli. Hannah cherished their friendship and came to think of producer Tim and Vic both as part of her "cancer family".

P.S. I've had several ask about a baby shower, but with all the doctor and hospitalizations there wasn't a time to work one in. Lisa's aunts are planning one after the baby is born. Will keep you all posted.

Love, Cindi